KINE 2049: Research Methods in Kinesiology

Week 9: Chapter 9 – Evaluating the Merits of Qualitative Research Studies in Kinesiology

Office Hours Reminder:

Office hours are from 4-5pm

Learning Outcomes:

• Identify various strategies to build trustworthiness, rigor, and validation of qualitative studies.

  • Strategies may include techniques for ensuring credibility and the accuracy of data interpretations.

• Explain the principles of methodological coherence in-depth.

  • Methodological coherence ensures the research methods align with the research goals and questions.

• Apply specific criteria from a comprehensive checklist for judging qualitative research.

  • Criteria may refer to guidelines evaluating credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability.

• Adopt a relativistic approach for a nuanced evaluation of qualitative research traits and contexts.

  • Understanding research through the context it was conducted is essential for accurate evaluation.

• Understand the critical importance of ethics as foundational to conducting research studies.

  • Research ethics ensure the welfare, dignity, and rights of participants are upheld.

Evaluating Qualitative Research:

Qualitative research methods are increasingly significant in kinesiology, as they delve into the intricacies of human behavior and experiences. Qualitative methods aim to gather rich, descriptive data that elucidates how people perceive and engage with their world.

Study Designs Overview:

Participant Sampling Techniques:

Data Generation Methods:

Data Analysis Approaches:

Key Questions:

1. How do I know if a qualitative study is reputable?

   • Consider authors’ credentials, study design clarity, and alignment with ethical standards.

2. What are the distinguishing features of robust qualitative research?

   • Look for methodological rigor, participant engagement, and clear documentation of findings.

Differences Between Qualitative and Quantitative Research:

Approaches to Evaluating Qualitative Research:

Qualitative research evaluation must involve thorough judgments beyond the application of quantitative standards.

• Example Strategy: A qualitative study exploring the meaning of sports for adolescent athletes may adopt constructivist approaches, acknowledging how individuals construct sport’s meaning via social interactions.

• Transparency Importance: Rationales behind conclusions must be comprehensible, ensuring that assessments can be conducted effectively.

Key Considerations for Evaluation:

• Trustworthiness and Coherence; Research Design:

  • Resonance: Findings should resonate with existing knowledge to ensure their relevance.

  • Compelling Arguments: Arguments must be validated through presented evidence.

  • Research Transparency: A clear outline from research question through to implications is paramount.

Qualitative Evaluation Approaches:

1. Trustworthiness: Credibility in research findings; answers the question of whether the study's findings can be trusted.

2. Methodological Coherence: Checks the internal alignment among study design elements, including aims and outcomes.

3. Comprehensive Checklist: Evaluates qualitative research through specific criteria.

4. Relativistic Approach: Evaluation must consider the study context and its nuances.

5. Ethics: Ethical concerns must guide all research activities.

Trustworthiness Parameters:

Techniques to Enhance Trustworthiness:

Example Strategies for Enhancing Trustworthiness:

1. Audit Trail: Document research processes in detail to allow others to replicate studies.

2. Member Checking: Engage participants in verifying interpretations for accuracy.

3. Peer Debrief: Discussions with colleagues can help identify biases and provide clarity.

4. Presenting Negative Information: Achieve holistic findings by acknowledging contradictory data.

5. Prolonged Engagement: Maintain ongoing involvement with research settings for comprehensive insights.

6. Purposeful Sampling: Identify and involve knowledgeable participants to enrich data quality.

7. Researcher Reflexivity: Engage in critical reflection about researcher biases and influence on study design.

8. Rich, Thick Descriptions: Utilize quotes and detailed contextual accounts for deeper audience connection.

Visual Representation Suggestions:

• Flowchart: Create a flowchart to represent processes of evaluating qualitative research, emphasizing interconnections between trustworthiness, methodology, and ethics.

• Comparison Chart: Develop a comparison chart that contrasts qualitatively and quantitatively different research approaches for clarity.

Additional Visuals:

• Diagrams: Infographics can visually demonstrate concepts of study designs, sampling methods, data generation, and analysis processes aligned with qualitative research frameworks.

Conclusion:

Qualitative research occupies a vital position in kinesiology, focusing on understanding and interpreting the complexities of human behavior. By diligently applying evaluative strategies and recognizing trustworthiness parameters, researchers can significantly improve the credibility and impact of their studies within the field.